Education

Colegio César Chávez was a college-without-walls program that existed in Mt. Angel from 1973 until 1983. At the time, Colegio was the only four-year Latino college in the country. The college was supported by Chicano activist Cesar Chavez, who himself visited the college on two occasions. In 1978, the college graduated more Mexican American students than Oregon State University and University of Oregon combined. Cipriano Ferrel, who would later found the Oregon farmworker’s union Pineros y Campesinos Unidos del Noroeste, graduated from Colegio Cesar Chavez. In the mid-1980s, the former Colegio grounds and building were purchased by a private buyer and donated to the Benedictine sisters. The Benedictine sisters now operate St. Joseph Shelter in the former Colegio building and dorms.